North Pole Party

Kick off the most magical season at Hilldale. Jingle all the way to our North Pole Party with festive activities for all ages, concluding with our tree lighting at 5:30 PM.
Visit the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County toy drive table on-site and enter for a chance to win giveaways from Hilldale businesses. 🎁
🦌 REINDEER PHOTOS | 3–5:30 PM
Get up close with live reindeer and snap a photo your whole family will love. The reindeer will be on-site through 5:30 PM, so don’t miss your chance before the tree lighting.
🎨 FACE PAINTING | 3–5:30 PM
Funny Faces is bringing four complementary face painters to Hilldale for the evening. Get your little ones holiday-ready before the big tree lighting.
📚 ELF STORYTIME AT LOVESAC | 3–5 PM
Stop into LoveSac for a cozy holiday storytime hosted by our very own Elf on the Shelf. A fun and festive moment for the little ones. Readings begin every 3o minutes.
🎅 SANTA | 3–5 PM & 5:30–6 PM
Santa is here and ready to hear your wish list. Visit him at the North Italia photo op from 3–5 PM for complimentary photos, then catch him at The Tree for the lighting and photos 5:30-6 PM. 🎄
🍫 S’MORES WITH METCALFE’S | 3–6 PM
Roast your own s’mores this holiday season, generously provided by Metcalfe’s Market. A sweet treat while you wait for the tree lighting. Complimentary while supplies last.
☕ HOT COCOA | 3–6 PM
Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa served in custom Hilldale cups. Topped with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and candy canes. Complimentary while supplies last.
🎶 ENTERTAINMENT
Capital City Theater Carolers — Caroling throughout Hilldale from 3–5 PM, with a special stage performance at 5 PM
UW Badger Band — Mini parade down Price Place starting around 5 PM
Live Dueling Pianos in The Plaza — Festive dueling piano performance by Piano Fondue in The Plaza from 3-5 PM

🎄 TREE LIGHTING | 5:30 PM
It all comes together at 5:30 PM. Gather around The Tree for Hilldale’s annual tree lighting, officially kicking off the holiday season.
🎨 ORNAMENT CRAFTS
Stop by the craft station inside the Macy’s Atrium and decorate your own ornament to take home. While supplies last.
🧸 SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER + ENTER TO WIN
Stop by the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County toy drive table at the event for a chance to win giveaways from Hilldale businesses. Drop off a donation and enter the raffle on-site. 🎁
Please consider donating new, unwrapped toys suitable for ages infant to 18. This year, we’re focusing on ages 12–18. Ideal donations include:
Tech accessories
Games & puzzles
Arts & journaling
Books
Practical/Hygiene Kits
Guidelines: New and unopened; teen-friendly and unisex when possible; avoid items requiring accounts, Wi-Fi, or subscriptions.
Popular items include board games, stuffed animals, flannel pants, earbuds, headphones, makeup kits, and nail kits. Monetary donations also accepted via QR codes at each activity station, or donate ahead of time here.
PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES
Allure Intimate Apparel — Non-perishable food drive benefiting The River Food Pantry. Donate 2+ items and receive 10% off your purchase.
bartaco — Kids’ coloring and craft station, plus Rainy Day Margaritas discounted to $8 all day
Bluemercury — In-store Holiday Party with a tiered discount promotion
Blended — Coloring station, 10% off during the event, and vegan protein cookie dough samples
Café Hollander — Coloring sheet, Stella’s Toy Drive (bring a toy, get a $10 coupon), and loyalty signup reward
Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream — Glitter tattoos 3–5:30 PM, plus buy a $20 gift card and get a free scoop
Crescendo — Hot cocoa available in store
Faherty — Beanie raffle, hot chocolate bar, and seasonal popcorn cups for kids to decorate
FreshFin — Spin the prize wheel for a chance to win one of several discounts
J.McLaughlin — Early Black Friday deals, festive sips and treats in store
Kendra Scott — Hot cocoa bar and meet-and-greet. Details to be announced.
LaserAway — Free skin assessment and a free laser hair removal session with a booked consultation
LoveSac — Reading with Elf on the Shelf
Lush — Free sample from one of their elves 🧝
Metcalfe’s — S’mores sponsor
Morgan’s Kids — Craft time with elves 🧝
Morgan’s Running — “Candy Cane Magic,” candy canes with hidden discounts and freebies inside
Morgan’s Shoes — Holiday candy goodie bags
North Italia — Santa’s North Pole is right on the North Italia patio from 3–5 PM. Stop by for photos with Santa and grab a holiday stocking while supplies last.
Paper Source — Letters to Santa station
[solidcore] — Staff dressed as characters handing out candy canes 🎄
Twigs — “Saint Nick Surprise” secret gift with purchase at checkout, plus free gift wrapping
Ulla Eyewear — Complimentary mini color analysis with a booked Frame Styling appointment, plus a personalized mini color palette to take home
University Book Store — Table game to win a prize, 10% off in-store, giveaways, and Bookie the mascot roaming Hilldale
📸 Please note that by taking part in this event, you grant the event organizers full rights to use the images resulting from photography/video filming. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the staff and/or photographer know.
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